Letters: red-light cameras

In response to “Mayor should see the light, bring traffic cameras to halt” (Local, Oct. 31): I can only assume that people who are against red-light cameras don’t do much walking. On Monday if I had left the curb when I had the “walk” sign, at the corner of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and West Point Loma Boulevard, I wouldn’t have written this letter. I’d be dead.

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People entering Ocean Beach run the red on their right turn toward the beach all day long. Step off the curb at Newport Avenue and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard at commuter times and your life is in jeopardy.

I would like to see more cameras. I agree that the fine is a bit stiff. The first offense should be $100, not $490. The second offense should be $1,000. Third offense should be a suspended license.

As far as rear-end collisions go we’ve all driven through an intersection thinking we just barely made it only to see, in our rearview mirror, two more cars follow us through. If you rear-end someone at an intersection you’re driving too fast and too close. Let’s not use that as an excuse to eliminate a valuable tool for safety. – Dennis Kar, Ocean Beach

Well, I see it is politics as usual. Both mayoral candidates are still looking for voters who will vote for either candidate, and why not bring up the camera issue since many people of San Diego do not care for the traffic cameras, either.

I, for one, like the idea. I will tell you why. Sometime back in the evening, I was waiting on eastbound Washington Boulevard and Cleveland Avenue waiting to make a left turn. I saw two vehicles going westbound on Washington. The stop light had turned yellow and the cars had plenty of time and distance to stop. Instead they raced to the intersection and by the time they reached the intersection the light turned red and they went on through and the camera recorded the entire incident. Had I anticipated my left turn light and left a second earlier, I doubt I would be here writing this letter about the stupidity of removing traffic cameras.

Research by AAA have shown lives have been saved through this program. Why mess with a good thing? Of course, politicians being what they are do not have their heads screwed on right anyway. They think more of themselves than the people they serve, and this thing with traffic cameras makes my point. – John Selbe, San Diego

Regarding “Red-light cameras may screech to a stop” (Local, Oct 16): Although I have paid the steep price of running a red-light camera, I still believe that the red-light cameras are beneficial to promoting safety in our city.

I cannot believe the red-light camera program may come to an end with the next city administration. Statistics show that these cameras have reduced intersection crashes by more than 50 percent! This technique has obviously saved many lives and reduced injuries. I think this program is an ideal attempt to make drivers think twice about running a red light and possibly putting people’s lives at risk.

Councilman Carl DeMaio believes the program may be increasing accidents as drivers slam on their brakes to avoid getting fines; well, I think those drivers need to slow down so they won’t need to slam on their brakes. I definitely agree that the $490 fines are way too high. Maybe the councilman should consider lowering the fines in order for the red-light cameras to serve more as a safety technique rather than a way for the city to make money. – Kristina Nevandro, San Diego